Northwest Birding Trail

Northwest Birding Trail

The trail starts at the west of the area, in Borðeyri, and travels eastthrough the Northwest, guiding bird lovers through areas rich inbirdlife and nature. Though the trail starts at one point and ends atanother, travellers can join and leave the trail whereever they want.It has also been set up so that travellers can skip the most remoteareas and still keep on the trail, ideal for those with little time butstill wanting to see rich birdlife.

What to Expect in Iceland?360 bird species have been recorded in Iceland and about 85 speciesnest here. The geographical location of Iceland, far north in theAtlantic, allows bird enthusiasts to see birds from both sides of theAtlantic. These include birds common in northern regions of Europeas well as American birds such as the Great Northern Diver, oraccidental visitors such as American Robins, Indigo Buntings, GreyPlover and others. Some of the species nesting in Iceland appear invery large numbers, such as the Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose,Atlantic Puffin, Fulmars and other sea and cliff birds.For further information on birds that have been spotted in Iceland,we recommend The Icelandic Bird Guide.

The Best Time to VisitFor those who are keen to see as many bird species as possible inIceland, late May to June is the best time. By then the migrantspecies have arrived and are preparing their nests. With 24 hours ofdaylight, Iceland is teeming with bird activities which allows you tobird watch whenever you desire.As most of the birds in Iceland are migrants they typically leave theisland in August and September. The winter season lacks the sameabundance of species as summer but still provides the Gyr Falcon,Merlin, White-tailed Eagle, Snowy Owl and Short-eyred Owl, RockPtarmigan in shining white, Common Raven, Snow Bunting,Redpoll, gulls, ducks and a few others.For best time to see certain species, we recommend www.eBird.org,go to Explore Data - Bar Chart - Iceland.

Birding in the NorthwestThe Northwest region of Iceland offers extended wetlands with anabundance of Whooper Swan, Great Northern Diver, ducks such asLong-tailed Duck, waders, and geese. The area has accessiblewetlands that offer the ideal habitat for many species of marshlandbirds and waders. Eider ducks in large colonies, Arctic Tern, AtlanticPuffin, Kittiwake and many other species live close to the ocean.Almost everywhere it should be easy to see and listen to birds suchas the Red-necked Phalarope, Golden Plover or Snipe.Of all the bird species that visit Iceland, only a few can not be seenin the Northwest during nesting or migration periods.This maphighlights birding locations and areas which are accessible for mostbird enthusiasts travelling on their own. For more remote places werecommend tour operators operating both locally and across Iceland.

Protection of WildlifeAlmost all birds in Iceland are floor breeders. Therefore, werecommend care be taken to avoid disturbing their nests and eggswhen hiking in nature.

The rocky island Drangey in the middle of Skagafjordur is a flat topped mass of tuff, rising almost 200 meters out of the ocean. The cliffs serve as nesting sites for around million sea birds and have been used throughout Iceland´s history for egg collection and bird netting.

Grettis Saga recounts that both Grettir and his brother Illugi lived on Drangey, for three years and were slain there. The island can only be ascended at one spot.

Vatnsnes is an area of varied animal life, and it is here that we find the largest and most accessible seal sanctuary in Iceland, where the common seal (Phoca vitulina) can be seen at quite close range. Facilities for seal watching can also be found at Illugastaðir, Svalbarð and Ósar, but please note that the Hindisvík station has now closed.

The area offers a beautiful environment endowed with many pearls of nature such as Hvítserkur and Borgarvirki, as well as some famous historical trails and sites.

The ring road round Vatnsnes is about 90 km and is mostly dirt road, passable all year round.